Madison Residents Label Food Trucks As Blight

Over the years I have word with cities that have protective measures in place to maintain the “feel” of a historic area. But in this case it seems a little disturbing that the people of the city would include food trucks in what they consider to be “blight”.

MADISON, CT - Immediately following a public hearing on a proposed anti-blight ordinance, town officials led a contentious 45-minute discussion on draft regulations pertaining to food trucks in town.

Many in the crowd of more than 100 called for the food trucks to either leave town or leave the spot frequented by the vendors on School Street in front of Academy School.

“A lot of people spend a lot of money to keep their property up and the first thing people see is food vendors?” resident Chris Scranton asked angrily. “It’s ridiculous.”

The vendors have been a hot-button issue because of their proximity to the center of town along Boston Post Road, and the Board of Selectmen took up the issue last summer because the trucks have limited regulation under existing town regulations.

The proposed rules state that generators must be maintained and shielded to lower noise levels. In addition, no more than four trucks can operate on School Street at a time, and the trucks cannot be on the street on Memorial Day, high school graduation and Independence Day, as well as any other “blackout dates” the Board of Selectmen dictates. The trucks would be allowed to operate on School Street from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The trucks’ proximity to the Green in the center of town drew the ire of many in attendance at the hearing.

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